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Students who participated in the kickoff event for Project Sticker Shock (l. – r.): Gillian Mall of Oakland, Augustina Mensa- Kwao of Rochelle Park, Supriya Rastogi of Mahway, Kelli Ward of Dumont and Camthanh Arce of Jersey City. They are members of SOAR (Steering Out Alcohol Responsibly).
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(Paramus, NJ) July 6, 2010 – The Center for Alcohol and Drug Resources, a program of Children's Aid and Family Services, has launched Project Sticker Shock to raise awareness among adults about providing alcohol to underage youth. The bright green stickers read "Keep It Legal: providing alcohol to those under age 21 is illegal, up to 6 months jail time $1000 fine." Local students, along with adult volunteers, place the stickers on multi-packs of alcoholic beverages and on paper bags used at liquor stores.
The project is part of a cooperative effort between The Center for Alcohol and Drug Resources and New Jersey Prevention Network. The aim of the initiative is to raise awareness about the legal ramifications about providing alcohol to underage youth,
According to a 2004 study sponsored by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, over 94 percent of twelfth graders, 84 percent of tenth graders, and 65 percent of eighth graders report that alcohol is "very easy" or "fairly easy" to get and a recent American Medical Association poll showed that adults are the most common source of alcohol for teens.
"We are entering the summer, when young people are out of school and socializing more," says Ellen Elias, director of The Center for Alcohol and Drug Resources and vice president, prevention and addiction services for Children's Aid and Family Services. "They attend more parties and often visit the shore, and as a result, may have an increased risk of inappropriate alcohol consumption. As a community, we strive to keep our young people safe, and an effective and important way of achieving this goal is by not providing alcohol to those under 21. The Sticker Shock campaign is a reminder to those who purchase alcohol that it is illegal to provide it to underage youth. What's more, purchasers can face serious consequences for disregarding the law."
The Project Sticker Shock kickoff event occurred at Home Liquors in Hackensack, Queen Anne Wine and Spirits in Teaneck, and Riverview Liquors in Bogota. The students who participated in the launch for the Sticker Shock campaign are members of SOAR (Steering Out Alcohol Responsibly) at Bergen County Academies, accompanied by adult volunteers associated with The Center for Alcohol and Drug Resources.
About The Center for Alcohol and Drug Resources
The Center for Alcohol and Drug Resources provides community and school-based education programs about alcohol and drug abuse and advocates for responsive prevention and treatment services. The Center's offices are located in Hackensack and its services are available throughout Bergen County.
About Children's Aid and Family Services
Children's Aid and Family Services is one of the leading nonprofit human services organizations serving northern New Jersey. The agency is fully accredited and has served the community for more than 110 years. Its mission is to preserve, protect and, when needed, provide families. Motivated by compassion for vulnerable children, young adults, frail elderly and their families, it provides high-quality and innovative services that meet their social, educational and emotional needs. For more information on Children's Aid and Family Services and to learn more about volunteer opportunities, call 201.261.2800 or visit www.cafsnj.org. | 
